Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions Victoria - Ten Melbourne hotspot postcodes to go into lockdown

This has certainly been a challenging and unprecedented financial year, on the eve of EOFY we face yet another lockdown phase in Victoria across 10 postcodes. More details to help keep you informed and adapt is shared in this news issue.

In this news issue:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions Victoria – Ten Melbourne hotspot postcodes to go into lockdown
Snapshot view of a Local Government Area Residential Housing Market Data
COVID-19 impact on property prices Residential Market Index
Property Management during COVID-19

How Victoria’s coronavirus lockdown across 10 Melbourne postcodes will work (ABC NEWS)

Premier, Daniel Andrews, announces new restrictions for Melbourne’s hot zones (DHHS VIC)

Suburbs in lockdown, land tax relief, end date of emergency measures

Extracted message reported directly to REIV Members today Tuesday 30th June 2020.

Dear Members,
The Premier has this afternoon announced a lock down in some “hot spot” suburbs. This means that these suburbs will return to Stage 3 restrictions from midnight tomorrow i.e. 11:59 pm Wednesday 1st July until Wednesday 29th July. The postcodes listed are 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060 and 3064.
Read the full statement.

Auctions in these suburbs must be online only. We believe private inspections will be allowed, however we are seeking confirmation from the Premier’s office. We would discourage routine inspections at this time.
Agents who live in these hot spots are able to leave their home to conduct an auction or carry out business relating to their job. Principals should consider how to appropriately manage staff who live in these hot spot suburbs on a case-by-case basis. If they can work from home they should work from home.

A few other matters for clarification re the COVID-19 legislation:
• Treasurer Tim Pallas has responded to REIV’s request to simplify the bureaucratic process for Commercial landlords seeking land tax relief in response to providing rent relief to tenants. The SRO has confirmed that a commercial landlord can apply for the relief with or without the online form. The online tenant form is not mandatory.

“The SRO developed the Tenant Form to assist commercial tenants in making the required statement to their landlords when requesting rent relief. However, we do not require that a commercial tenant uses the Tenant Form to make this statement. We will accept an appropriate statement by a commercial tenant in another format, provided the relevant information is included in the statement. We do encourage the use of the Tenant Form because it ensures that tenant statements are clear, complete, affirmed as accurate by the tenant and compliant with privacy requirements.”

• A Bill to amend the RTA will be passed by Parliament in August to correct a drafting error regarding the end date of the COVID-19 Legislation. Part 16 of the RTA will finish on 25 September 2020 in line with the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Measures) Regulations 2020.

While we have all been focused on keeping our businesses running safely during these challenging times, I strongly encourage you to use this time to build and showcase the expertise and professionalism in the industry. The REIV Awards for Excellence and Auction Competitions are the perfect platform to establish your credentials. Entries to the Awards have now opened and entry into the 2020

Stay safe, stay healthy

Leah Calnan
REIV President